We are starting to plan a trip to Australia for next March. Could use any advice on getting a deal ob business class sats from Boston or LA.
We are currently thinking about 4 days in Sydney, 4 days in the outback including Ayers Rock and a four day sailing charter in the Whitsundays.

Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

Wow, you just got back from Africa, I think, and going to OZ now?? Can I be adopted by you? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> We would love to go to OZ one of these days, but will have to wait until we retire (again) to make the time. Enjoy!

And, after Africa, I sailed across the Atlantic. Thank God, I am retired.

I've booked a bareboat charter in the Whitesundays with Sunsail for Aug 2015. Happy to share anything I've learned.

We are thinking about March. I have chartered with Sunsail in New Zealand and owned with them in the BVI. They do a great job. Thx.

I did not go to Uluru (Ayers Rock) this year, but a few years ago, my travel agent set us up with a flight to Alice Springs, then a long bus ride to Uluru where we spent the night. We saw the sunset that day and sunrise the next day. Then we flew on to Cairns. Uluru is not cheap. The bus ride gives you a feel for the emptiness of the outback.

We now understand that September is a better month than March, cooler and less rain. That gives us some time.

That makes sense, as the seasons would be reversed from North America.

Did Eastern Australia in 2000 so things could have changed. For me, who doesn't particularly like cities, four days in Sydney would be overkill. OK, there are beaches but a city any where is a city. Drove huge chunks of east coast: easy driving but boring. Loved Townsville and Magnetic Island, a little to the south I think, but saw first koala In a tree there for real. Sailed the Whitsundays. Used a local company, at the time they offered much better service and boats than Sunsail, who we were accustomed to. Beware box jelly fish and sharks, and Whitehaven Beach which was full of sandflies. But we had a FANTASTIC time and want to return. Fascinating country and creatures! Adored my first kookaburra but could have throttled every single one by the end of our stay! Noisy blighters!!!

PS: on my last post. It's a heck of a long way from Uluru, Ayers Rock, to East Coast, 5 or 6 hours flying?? Not to be undertaken lightly. And VERY hot. Have you seen/heard of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge who just did this?.

Thanks. Good advice on Sydney. I was thinking that we could use it as a base to explore he surrounding area.
I didn't know that the flight to Ayers rock was so lng, but i feel like we need to do it.
I din't think that the box jellies came as far South as the Whitsundays - that certainly gives pause.

I regret not having done Uluru, and the west coast. Next time?? Our daughter was taking a year out in OZ at the time, and we were restricted to time: wanting to be with her and also see as much as possible so we stuck to east coast and returned via Sydney. The charter companies provide you with 'stinger suits', all in one Lycra suits, very becoming!!